Tim Mackie, the lead scholar for BibleProject, dives into the profound implications of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. He discusses redefining justice, moving from retaliation to grace, and the cultural significance of turning the other cheek. By analyzing the historical context, Mackie emphasizes assertive nonviolence as a powerful response to oppression. He connects these insights to contemporary issues, illustrating how acts of radical generosity can challenge societal norms and promote dignity in the face of injustice.
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insights INSIGHT
Eye for an Eye: Limiting Vengeance
"An eye for an eye" was meant to limit vengeance, not encourage it.
It set a ceiling on retaliation to prevent excessive responses and escalating violence.
insights INSIGHT
Monetary Compensation, Not Literal Retaliation
"Eye for an eye" was often applied as monetary compensation, not literal retaliation.
This aimed to provide fair recompense for damages, not to justify revenge.
insights INSIGHT
Trusting Divine Justice
Humans are poor judges of appropriate recompense, the Bible suggests.
Trusting God as the ultimate judge is advised over personal retaliation.
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In 'Why We Can't Wait', Martin Luther King Jr. recounts the story of the Birmingham campaign in vivid detail, tracing the history of the struggle for civil rights back to its beginnings and looking to the future. The book emphasizes the power of nonviolent direct action and the urgency of achieving full equality for African Americans. It includes King's famous 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', which became a cornerstone of the civil rights movement.
The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus
Nahum M. Sarna
This volume of the JPS Torah Commentary series provides a detailed analysis of the Book of Exodus, featuring the traditional Hebrew text, JPS translation, and insightful commentary by Nahum M. Sarna. It includes supplementary essays, a glossary, and bibliographic notes, making it a valuable resource for both scholars and general readers.
Strength to love
Martin Luther King Jr
The Gospel of Matthew
St. Matthew
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragic play that tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall in love despite the long-standing feud between their families. The play explores themes of love, hate, fate, and the destructive nature of the families' vendetta. After secretly marrying, the lovers face numerous challenges, including the death of Romeo's friend Mercutio and his subsequent banishment. A failed plan to reunite the lovers leads to their tragic deaths, ultimately bringing peace between their families. The play is renowned for its poetic language, passionate romance, and violent conflict, making it one of the world's most beloved and enduring stories.
Sermon on the Mount E15 – In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus offers wisdom from the Torah about retaliation, justice, and nonviolent resistance to injustice. He references a series of laws in Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, and Deuteronomy 19, all of which contain the familiar language of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” Jesus reveals the surprising wisdom within these laws, using real-life scenarios that would have been familiar to oppressed Israelites living under Roman occupation: turning the other cheek, giving your cloak, and going the extra mile. In this episode, Jon, Tim, and Michelle discuss how these actions can open up our imaginations for boldly standing against injustice in creative, nonviolent ways.
You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.
Show Music
Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
BibleProject theme song by TENTS
Show Credits
Jon Collins is the creative producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer; and Stephanie Tam, consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey, Frank Garza, and Aaron Olsen are our audio editors. Tyler Bailey is also our audio engineer, and he provided our sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.
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